Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom
Job Description
Job Title:
Adviser – Older People
Department:
Nursing Department
Reports to:
Assistant Head of Nursing Department
Accountable to:
Head of Nursing Department
Hours:
21 hours
Location:
To be agreed
JOB PURPOSE:







Develop and sustain a respected and professional UK-wide profile internally and
externally as a leader for the RCN on nursing policy and practice development in
Older Peoples’ care settings.
Influence nursing practice by developing and utilising effective professional
relationships between the RCN and relevant external networks and stakeholders
such as public / patient groups, statutory agencies, professional bodies,
providers and commissioners, independent and third sector organisations.
Create or identify opportunities for RCN members and its staff to work with
stakeholders in developing solutions to contemporary nursing or health and
social care issues or concerns.
Develop, adopt, or adapt standards for nursing practice in partnership with other
departments of the RCN or with external bodies.
Using appropriate management and leadership strategies facilitate member
involvement in the work of the RCN
Support the development of the RCN as the voice of Nursing by contributing to
the recruitment of new members.
Contribute to the success of the RCN as a business
Main duties and responsibilities
1) Lead and support the development of UK wide nursing practice and policy in
Older Peoples’ care settings



Deliver quality assured services and products for a range of
customers and stakeholders. For example develop UK and Country
specific best practice standards, clinical guidelines, policy guidance,
quality measures, knowledge summaries, practice development tools,
position papers and on-line briefings.
Oversee and contribute to the quality assurance life cycle of any
products or services produced
Offer expert opinion or advice for internal customers such as Regional
or Country Directors on nursing practice issues arising from local,
regional or national developments in employment, practice or policy.
1


Work proactively with the RCN Public Affairs team to lead the
communication and promotion of agreed RCN positions and other
activity through appropriate channels such as the press, professional
journals, web based media, conferences and other events
Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional
development by keeping up to date with existing and emerging
evidence, changes in health and social care policy and current best
practice.
2) Working in partnership with Regional and Country staff, engage members and
experts from across the UK in the identification, development, dissemination and
promotion of RCN evidence, expertise and opinion on nursing policy and practice







Build the reputation of the RCN by developing and actively managing
networks with a range of groups and individuals in support of RCN
objectives
Identify and appropriately manage the use of specialists and expert
practitioners within and outside your designated area of practice
ensuring the appropriate inclusion of a diversity of views and
experiences
When working with members operate within the corporate and
governance policies of the RCN to ensure a high level of commitment
to organisational values, policy and practice
Demonstrate clear management, support for and leadership of
member volunteers and activists. For example by attending forum or
member events you are responsible for, maintaining regular
communication with lead network or forum members such as Chairs
and committee members, and so on.
Use specialist / expert knowledge to keep members fully engaged
and informed about the objectives of the RCN
Actively seek, listen and respond to a range of member views and
experiences and where possible incorporate them within agreed work
Work with others to identify and support the development of future
leaders from amongst the membership and contribute actively
towards broader RCN learning and development strategies for
relevant membership groups. This may include coaching or mentoring
lead activists and members.
3) Contribute to the reputation and effectiveness of the work of the Nursing
Department and the wider organisation




Show leadership by working in a manner which demonstrates a
commitment to best practice in equality and human rights legislation
and guidance. The RCN is working towards equality of opportunity for
all and staff are required to bear this in mind when carrying out their
duties.
Plan work / projects in a transparent and organised way, utilising RCN
resources and staff support appropriately, ensuring that all relevant
people are involved from the beginning
Lead or contribute to the development and management budgets for
planned work in accordance with RCN Financial Policies and
Standing Orders and Nursing Department process standards
Ensure colleagues have access to relevant and accurate information
on the performance of agreed projects and workplans
2






Demonstrate clear decision making in line with departmental and
organisational strategies and plans, consulting others where
necessary
Demonstrate appropriate use of communication channels. For e.g.
consistent attendance at agreed meetings, preparing concise and
accurate briefings, appropriately and purposefully sharing intelligence,
sharing opportunities for development, contributing to other
departments work and so on.
Build and extend the profile of the work of the adviser and the
department by developing networks across the organisation to fully
utilise the experience and talents of RCN staff and departments
In collaboration with departments such as Marketing and Business
Development, take a lead in the creation of business cases and/or
project proposals to attract additional resources from internal and
external bodies to support agreed RCN activity taking into account
any cost implications, benefits and risks.
Value and engage with individual colleagues views regardless of their
position within the organisation
Actively participate as a member of the department, including
supporting other departmental projects, away days, regular team
meetings and other developmental activity.
4) Working with the management team, contribute to the management, appraisal,
supervision and support of the Nursing Department business support team.



Demonstrate trust in team members abilities and delegate
appropriately, always encouraging two way communication and
feedback on progress
Give proactive feedback with evidence of good practice
Respond proactively to concerns relating to performance in an
appropriate, sensitive and professional manner.
Any Other Duties
Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as required by
the Head of Department.
RCN Nursing Department
September 2012
3
PERSON SPECIFICATION FORM
POST:
Adviser – Older People
DEPARTMENT:
Nursing Department
DIVISION:
Nursing and Service Delivery
The person specification below outlines the RCN Core Competencies and related knowledge and
skills which relate to this role. Our Core Competencies are the key behavioural areas which we
have identified as needing from our staff in order to be an effective membership organisation.
Evidence for competencies, knowledge and skills will be looked for throughout the selection
process.
A/F=Application Form, I =Interview, A= Assessment Stage
Core
Competency
1. Member and
Customer
Focus
Engages with
customers/members and
keeps them fully
informed.
Related Skills,
Knowledge and Behaviours
A/F
 Respects and promotes the organisational
values.

 Skilled at working with customers and other
stakeholders to understand alternative priorities
and perspectives.

 Able to proactively resolve issues or concerns
raised by customers or members
 Able to use specialist/expert knowledge to keep
members and other stakeholders fully informed.






 Extensive knowledge and understanding of the
NMC regulatory framework.
2. Collaborative
Working
Encourages
collaboration internally
and externally
I

 Skilled in the management / leadership of
volunteers (e.g. activists) and engages with their
views
 Able to share information, consult and involve
others: working independently and within a team
as required
A

 A commitment to and understanding of issues of
equality and diversity facing nurses, nursing and
healthcare.


 Ability to establish and maintain strong internal
and external networks with a range of different
groups and utilises their expertise


 Able to value and engage with individual views
regardless of position or place.
 Ability to engage and involve public / patient
bodies in developing policy and/or practice



4
 Ability to work across organisational boundaries
and able to build a shared understanding in
negotiating opportunities for collaboration


 Plans a project to ensure all relevant people are
involved at the beginning.
3. Delivery Focus
Focused on delivering
business objectives.
 Substantial and varied experience in
commissioning, delivering, researching or
managing older peoples’ services

 Thorough understanding of the broad national
policy and practice context for developments in
design and delivery of older peoples’ services


 Ability to spot trends in health and social care
policy and practice and develop appropriate and
concise responses


 Ability to make decisive decisions in order to
manage a complex workload and to progress
several projects simultaneously

 Experience in planning, developing, managing,
delivering and evaluating complex projects from
conception to closure.


 Ability to identify appropriate evidence from
practice or academia to support work plans


 Skilled at assimilating complex ideas and
information and communicating that information
confidently to a range of audiences




 Demonstrable effective budget and resource
management skills
Demonstrates clear
management of
department and
colleagues


 Skilled in the effective use of Microsoft Office IT
applications to support communication and
delivery of work
4. Decisive
Management



 Sets clear expectations around performance,
and tackles poor performance issues promptly.
 Demonstrates trust in team members’
skills/strengths and delegates accordingly.

 Skilled in constructive two-way communication
and feedback
 Demonstrates clear decision-making in line with
departmental and organisational strategy
 Ability to lead a diverse range of people to work
together towards common goals, supporting
colleagues to give time to reflection and





5
learning. Knows when to consult and when to
inform.
5. Respectful
Relationships
Works with others to
build respect.
 Able to prepare factually accurate,
comprehensive, clear and precise
communications.


 Encourages colleagues to talk openly
and share concerns and skilled at
negotiating to build a shared
understanding



Able to communicate effectively through all
media such as press, radio, TV, on line etc
6. Shaping
Change
Successfully leads
change by
communicating clearly
and encouraging
discussion.
7. Other
requirements
 Experience in communicating complex ideas to
a broad range of audiences including public
speaking

 Skilled at working to understand reasons for
resistance to change


 Ability to clearly communicate the reasons for
change and the implications on the team.


 Listens to and provide opportunities for staff to
understand, shape and engage with change.

 Educated to degree level or higher.

 Nursing qualification on one or more parts of the
NMC register

 Experience of working with a membership
organisation, charitable or social care body



6